Veterans Day

How do you tell a 3 year old about Veterans Day? As I was hanging the flag this morning, my 3 year old was all questions.

Norah: Why are you putting that old thing up? (if she only knew how 'old' the flag really is!)

Me: It's the American Flag. and because it's Veterans Day.

N: What's that?

Me: Well, it is a day we thank people who have been or who are serving in the military.

N: What's that?

Me: Do you know the army guys that Jayden plays with? Well, there are real people who fight for our country. And today we say, "Thank You," to them today.

N: What's a country?

Me: It's the place we live. We live in a city, that is in a state, that is in a country. And there are lots of groups of people who protect us every day so that we can be safe, so we can do what we want to do, so we can choose what kind of life we want.

N: oh. But why are you hanging that?

Me: Because by hanging the flag, I'm telling everyone I love my country and I am thanking the people who help/helped make our country the place it is.

N: oh. But why are you standing on a chair?

-- and that's pretty much where we end the explanation of Veterans Day to a 3 year old...

it was pretty tough, and I think I choked up a few times - just feeling the magnitude of my words.

I doubt she understands - and next year I may get the same questions again.

But one day she will understand, because we will teach her. We will tell her about the men and women who have fought for our life, our freedom, our liberty. We will tell her about the families who are at home, waiting for their moms or dads to come home - who worry about their safety - who don't understand what their moms or dads really do.

So thank you - It is an amazing you gift you give.

Matthew Busch, who is currently serving in the Air Force

Michael French, who just returned from Afghanistan

Grandfathers: Fred Folkertsma, William French, Edward Busch, John Moore

Countless Great-Uncles who fought in WWII

My dad: Mel Folkertsma who enlisted in the Army and fought in Vietnam

My Brother-in-Law: John Holmes, who served in the Navy

Cousins: Monte & Kelly French, who served in the Navy

Eric Paris, who served in the Army

Joel Prosser, who served in the Marine's during Operation Iraqi Freedom in '03

Grace Teaching Norah to Read

Grace is teaching Norah to read -- she will read a word, ask Norah to 'say it', Norah says it, and they do it again...

It's funny, when your child starts reading she thinks her teacher taught her how. One time, I over heard a conversation between Grace and Norah. Norah was upset because she didn't know how to read yet. Grace told her, "You just have to go to school and Mrs. Fogelman will teach you how!"

I've heard of parents resenting their child's Kindergarten teacher because everything he/she says is correct and amazing and totally cool. But you've (the parent) been saying it for years and its never been that true or that amazing or that cool.

I don't resent Mrs. Fogelman (yet). I'm so thankful my child loves school. I'm so thankful she's secure and thriving and healthy. I'm so glad she has a teacher who loves her and can teach her things I (apparently) haven't.

Like Son, Like Father

Recently, Nana (Suzanne) and John went on a luxury cruise (read more here or here) and one of the ports was in Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia, particularly Halifax, has a mark on history because 3 of her ships were involved in recovering survivors and victims of the Titanic after its sinking in 1912. Halifax is also where these victims were buried, with only a date on their headstone.

Knowing Jayden was a little (ok, a lot) obsessive about the Titanic, Nana and John paid a visit to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

It's at the Museum where they bought Jayden a reference map of the Titanic.

It arrived yesterday and Jayden studied it, gathering as much information as he could, trying to find something new he didn't already know about this amazing ship and it's tragic end. He studied shipping lanes and charts... He poured over the Titanic map, decks and escape routes...

Tonight, as the kids were going to bed, this is how I found Adam -

I have yet to study the map - but who know's that may be tomorrow's post!!

Hair Do(s)

Barbie actually has some pretty cute hairstyles. I've seen my share of Barbie movies - and I have to admit, I like them a lot more than I liked the Thomas the Tank Engine movies we watched over and over and over.

This hairstyle was inspired by the '12 Dancing Princesses' - and Barbie.

The girls love it.

So do I.

Some Family Photos

My Brother-in-law, Bela, took some family pictures of us last July.

Thought I share some with you today.

Sometimes I look at my life and wonder when all of this happened. I still feel like a young girl, walking over to my neighbor's house to swim. Telling secrets and dreams to my childhood friends.

Now I am 35. I have a husband with whom I have spent nearly (quite nearly) half of my life with. I have 3 kids who drive me crazy, both in love and sanity. I have parents who have been married for 42 years and are still going strong, both in love and sanity. I have sisters who are my best friends and they have families who are growing and growing. I have in-laws who love me and step in-laws who love me. I have amazing friends, who I know God has given me after years and years of loneliness.

But I am still 35. I have spent nearly (quite nearly) half of my life up, that is, if all statistics are correct and I live until I'm roughly 72 - give or take (hopefully give, lots and lots of give).

When I'm 70, will I look at my life and still feel like a young girl, off to swim?

I've been listening to lots of Christian radio lately. I like to have a worship song rolling around in my brain. I like to break out in a chorus while doing dishes or sitting in the carpool line at the school, waiting to pick up my kids.

There's been a song playing a lot in the past few weeks. Amazing Love. I remember singing it as a young girl in youth group.

And here I am, singing it again.

I am forgiven, because You were forsaken.

I am accepted, You were condemned.

I'm alive and well, Your Spirit lives within me.

Because You died and rose again.

Amazing Love

How can it be?

That You my King should die for me?

Amazing Love

I know it's true,

It's my joy to honor You.

In all I do, I'll honor You.

That's what I want my life to be. Honoring. To my husband, my kids, my parents, my sisters, my in-laws, my friends, but most, most importantly, to my King.

i think i'll keep 'em

i found the kids cuddling.

it's funny how one moment they can be typically rivals.

then another moment they can be like this, loving and sweet.

i appreciate the differences.

i have 3 sisters.

and as loving and as sweet as sisters can be,

we've had our rival moments.

in the end, when we have a chance,

we hang on to each other.

longing for another second together.

i long for one moment now.

to see my sister's growing tummy,

to see my sister's crazy rendition of 'borderline',

to see my sister's sunny disposition and a freckle or two.

so instead, i'll smile at my own children.

loving and sweet.